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Amateur international football draws expats
By Deng Zhaohao and Xu Wenwen |
June 25, 2013, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FOOTBALL superstar David Beckham caused a huge stir in Hangzhou as ambassador for the Super League of China. Wherever he went last Friday - a hospital, football school, stadium, restaurant and bar - fans followed, with waves and waves of screams.
It was a sign of the sport's growing popularity, both among locals and expats. Some of these expats have formed an amateur team, Sinobal international football team with one Chinese player.
At the first match of the summer earlier this month, Sinobal played against local Nokia Siemens Network, winning 5-1.
As the whistle blew, Briton Aled Llewynn ran from the middle of the field to the goal. He had just caught a pass and opened an attack. He swerved to shake off a marker and create a space for himself. Then he kicked, scoring the first goal.
"I love football. I worried that I would not be able to play football in China, but the team is fine," Llewynn said.
The club was formed early this year, sponsored by Sinobal Football Club in Hangzhou. The eight-man squad play friendly matches and league matches with other amateur teams.
The aim is building the teamand having fun.
"The team is where fans share their values and passion for the sport," said coach Trevor Lamb, who is also the coach at Sinobal Football Club.
He said some team members had played previously in amateur matches before joining the team. Some are fathers of students whom he taught to play football. Some responded to online recruitment.
"The team is the result of football passion, linking countries, cultures and ethnicities," said David Blanco from Spain.
Remco Rademaker from the Netherlands said, "Playing on a real competitive team in a real league is great. I didn't expect it."
The expats have spread the football spirit among locals.
Zhang Danwei, the only Chinese player, said, "Through playing in an international team I found that foreign players do not give up easily and I learned a sense of responsibility from them. They simply enjoy football."
The players live in different parts of the city. They train from time to time.
They have other hobbies. Lamb, for example, plays the harmonica and belongs to a band. Blanco is a long-distance runner and joined a show on Zhejiang TV Station.
The team says it may play international teams in Shanghai in the future.
It was a sign of the sport's growing popularity, both among locals and expats. Some of these expats have formed an amateur team, Sinobal international football team with one Chinese player.
At the first match of the summer earlier this month, Sinobal played against local Nokia Siemens Network, winning 5-1.
As the whistle blew, Briton Aled Llewynn ran from the middle of the field to the goal. He had just caught a pass and opened an attack. He swerved to shake off a marker and create a space for himself. Then he kicked, scoring the first goal.
"I love football. I worried that I would not be able to play football in China, but the team is fine," Llewynn said.
The club was formed early this year, sponsored by Sinobal Football Club in Hangzhou. The eight-man squad play friendly matches and league matches with other amateur teams.
The aim is building the teamand having fun.
"The team is where fans share their values and passion for the sport," said coach Trevor Lamb, who is also the coach at Sinobal Football Club.
He said some team members had played previously in amateur matches before joining the team. Some are fathers of students whom he taught to play football. Some responded to online recruitment.
"The team is the result of football passion, linking countries, cultures and ethnicities," said David Blanco from Spain.
Remco Rademaker from the Netherlands said, "Playing on a real competitive team in a real league is great. I didn't expect it."
The expats have spread the football spirit among locals.
Zhang Danwei, the only Chinese player, said, "Through playing in an international team I found that foreign players do not give up easily and I learned a sense of responsibility from them. They simply enjoy football."
The players live in different parts of the city. They train from time to time.
They have other hobbies. Lamb, for example, plays the harmonica and belongs to a band. Blanco is a long-distance runner and joined a show on Zhejiang TV Station.
The team says it may play international teams in Shanghai in the future.
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